Capturing the Magic of Equine Photography with Laura Ness Photography
There’s something undeniably special about horses. Their elegance, power and personality make them incredible subjects to photograph but capturing that magic on camera requires patience, creativity and a real understanding of equine behaviour.
Equine photography is about much more than simply taking a beautiful picture. It’s about preserving memories and telling the unique story of each horse or pony. Whether it’s a playful pony portrait, a heartfelt image between horse and rider or a professionally styled commercial shoot, every photograph has the ability to capture moments that owners cherish for years to come.
Why Equine Photography Is So Special
Photographing horses comes with its own unique challenges and rewards. Unlike studio photography where everything can be controlled, horses have minds of their own. They can be playful, curious, distracted, energetic, or completely uninterested in standing still for the perfect shot.
That unpredictability is often what makes equine photography so rewarding. The best images often happen in natural moments a horse pricking its ears at a distant sound, a pony running freely through a field, or a quiet interaction between horse and owner.
Professional equine photography can also mark important milestones, including:
- Celebrating a new horse purchase
- Retirement portraits
- Competition achievements
- Capturing young horses as they grow
- Memorial photography
- Seasonal family photos with horses
For many owners, these photographs become treasured keepsakes.
Photo © Laura Ness Photography
Behind the Lens with Laura Ness Photography: Capturing the Personality and Beauty of Horses
At Country & Stable, we’ve been lucky enough to work closely with Laura Ness Photography on one of our most loved annual projects the Dinky Ponies Calendar. Known for her ability to photograph ponies in a way that feels natural, fun and full of character, Laura helps bring every edition of the calendar to life.
We caught up with Laura to learn more about her journey into equine photography, her creative process and what happens behind the scenes when photographing some of the most adorable ponies around.
Meet Laura Ness - Professional Equine Photographer: Q&A
We asked Laura about her experience photographing horses and ponies, her work with the Dinky Ponies Calendar and her advice for horse owners considering a professional equine photo shoot.
How did you first get into equine photography?
“I’ve always had a creative streak. I can remember using my family’s little point-and-shoot camera as a teenager on holidays, constantly trying to find the best angles, compositions and ways to make a photo feel special.
When I was 14, I went with a friend to meet her horses and completely fell in love with them from that moment on. Not long after, a close friend let me borrow her DSLR camera to take some photos and instead of going to my secondary school prom, I ended up getting a camera instead! Looking back now, that was definitely one of the best decisions I ever made.”
What inspired you to specialise in photographing horses?
“If I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure - I think I’ve just always been drawn to animals. I’ve always been a huge animal lover and horses completely fascinated me.
I used to go along to shows and events with friends and their horses and would spend so much time enjoying the fresh air and these incredible animals. I never imagined that curiosity and a borrowed camera would eventually grow into the business and career I have today.”
Photo © Laura Ness Photography
What do you love most about photographing horses and ponies?
“I think it’s how expressive and individual they all are. As cleché as it sounds, every horse really does have its own personality.
Every session gives me something different to take away from it - whether that’s funny moments, learning patience with horses who need a little more time to relax, or those real ‘pinch me’ moments photographing some of the world’s best racehorses and Olympic event horses.
I’ve also been incredibly lucky to photograph foals and then continue following their journeys as they grow into talented competition horses. Being trusted to capture those memories at different stages of their lives is really special.”
Photo © Laura Ness Photography
And it's not just horses that find themselves in front of Laura’s lens, either. As a lifelong animal lover, Laura also creates beautiful pet portraits, capturing the same character, quirks and expressions that make our dogs and other much-loved companions such an important part of the family.
What makes equine photography different from other types of photography?
“Equine photography requires a huge amount of patience, understanding and respect. It’s easy to forget sometimes that horses are fight or flight animals, and many of the things we ask them to do during a photoshoot are completely outside of their normal routine.
Standing still in a barn entrance, posing in a field fully tacked up or plaited, or simply focusing on something unfamiliar can feel very strange to them. Horses thrive on routine, so when that changes, they often need time to adjust and feel comfortable.
Once they do relax though, their personalities really begin to show. They’re incredibly rewarding animals to photograph because no two sessions, or horses for that matter, are ever the same.”
Photo © Laura Ness Photography
How do you capture a horse’s personality in photos?
“A lot of it comes down to time, patience and understanding the horse in front of me.
Before every session, I’ll chat with the owner about their horse’s personality and ask if they are they inquisitive, laid back, cheeky or sensitive? Knowing that beforehand helps me adapt how I approach the session.
Some horses are natural posers from the very first click of the camera, while others need a little more encouragement (and sometimes a noisy feed bucket or some horse sounds on TikTok always helps with those ears forward moments!).
Most importantly, I never want a horse to feel stressed or overwhelmed. Horses are incredibly expressive animals, and even the slightest bit of tension shows very quickly in photographs. The best images always come when they feel calm, relaxed and curious, because that’s when you truly capture them as they are.”
Working with the Dinky Ponies Calendar
“I first met Sarah and the girls back in 2024 after following the Dinky Ponies on social media for a long time. I used to regularly get far too emotional watching their videos and was always in complete awe of Sarah’s strength, compassion and dedication to the ponies and the incredible work they do.
I eventually messaged her and asked if I could come and photograph the girls - and the rest is history!
There have honestly been so many incredible memories since then. We’ve laughed until we’ve cried, become ridiculously excited over images (including some for the 2027 calendar!) and created something I’m incredibly proud of.
Whilst the business opportunities and social media growth have been amazing, my favourite part has without doubt been working alongside such a kind and selfless team. Seeing the impact they have on people going through difficult times is incredible, and I feel very privileged to play even a small part in helping share and support their story.”
Funny Behind-the-Scenes Moments from Equine Photoshoots
“Far too many! The perfectly alert horse photo you see on Facebook rarely ‘just happens’.
Behind the scenes there’s usually neighing videos playing from TikTok, squeaky pig toys, rattling feed bags, strange noises and anything else we can find to get those ears forward. And when it comes to Dinky Ponies shoots… drones seem to work surprisingly well too! ?
Every horse reacts to something different, so there’s always a funny moment discovering the latest thing that gets their attention.”
What’s it like working with Country & Stable?
“The team at Country & Stable have been absolutely incredible.
After initially speaking with Sarah and Liz last year, I got to meet some of the team properly at Your Horse Live 2025. Despite having a people-facing business, I’m actually quite anxious in new situations and around new people, but the team instantly made me feel so welcome and completely at ease.
Little me started this business simply from a love of horses and photography, so I never imagined I’d one day have the opportunity to work alongside such an amazing company.
Everyone, both behind the scenes and at events, has been so supportive and encouraging. Nothing has ever been too much trouble, and their support for both myself and the Dinky Ponies has genuinely been invaluable.”
Photo © Laura Ness Photography
Advice for Horse Owners Preparing for a Photoshoot
“Firstly - well done for booking it! It’s so easy to keep putting a photoshoot off for ‘another day’, but one thing I always say is that I never want someone to regret not booking sooner. These sessions are all about you and your horse, and those memories are priceless.
I also hear so often from clients that they feel nervous or uncomfortable in front of the camera and honestly, I completely understand that.
My approach is always very relaxed and natural. I’ll guide you where needed, but I never want stiff, awkward ‘stand there and smile’ poses. The most beautiful images are always the natural moments, the quiet interactions, soft expressions and genuine connection between horse and owner. Those are the photographs that feel the most emotive and timeless.”
Photo © Laura Ness Photography
Current Trends in Equine Photography
“Equine reels, black background portraiture and golden hour sessions are hugely popular at the moment. They’ve always been loved within the industry, but they’re definitely at the forefront of social media right now.
Reels are fantastic for capturing emotion and movement in a completely different way to still photographs, especially at events. Black background portraits remain timeless because they remove all distractions and place the entire focus on the horse’s expression, features and personality.
And golden hour shoots will always have a special place, there’s just something about that warm evening light that creates such a soft, happy and magical feel, especially after a long muddy winter!”
What’s Next for Laura Ness Photography?
“Last year I made the very exciting decision to upgrade my camera equipment, and it’s honestly made such a huge difference.
Over the next six months, I’d really love to continue building my confidence with creating reels so that I can begin offering them as part of my packages.
The 2027 Dinky Ponies calendar is already well underway too - we’re currently two shoots in with many more planned over the coming months, and I’m so excited for everyone to eventually see the finished result.
More than anything though, I just want to continue doing what I love: creating special memories for people and their horses, meeting incredible clients and still getting that same excitement every single time I look through the images from a session.”
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Behind the Scenes of the Dinky Ponies Calendar
The Dinky Ponies Calendar has become a favourite among customers at Country & Stable, loved for showcasing the therapy ponies charming personalities.
Creating the calendar is far more involved than simply gathering ponies together and hoping for the best. Every shoot requires planning, patience and plenty of flexibility.
From choosing seasonal backdrops to coordinating pony outfits, props and themes, each calendar image is carefully thought through to create something memorable and fun.
Of course, when working with ponies, things don’t always go exactly to plan and that’s often where the best moments happen. Unexpected expressions, playful antics and spontaneous interactions often create the most memorable images.
Thankfully, having an experienced photographer like Laura Ness Photography behind the camera helps ensure every shoot captures those magical moments.
Tips for Preparing Your Horse for a Photoshoot
If you’re considering booking your own equine photography session, a little preparation can help everything run smoothly.
Groom Thoroughly
Give your horse a full groom before the shoot and remove any stains from their coat.
Clean Tack
If tack will feature in your images, ensure it’s clean and polished. Get prepped with effective tack cleaner!
Keep Styling Simple
Natural-looking plaits, clean headcollars, and simple accessories often photograph beautifully.
Choose Comfortable Locations
Horses tend to relax more in familiar surroundings.
Stay Patient
Animals can be unpredictable, so allowing extra time helps keep everyone relaxed.
Why Professional Horse Photography Is Worth It
While phone cameras are great for everyday snapshots, professional photography offers something far more timeless.
An experienced equine photographer understands how horses move, how they behave and how to work with natural light, landscapes and timing to create standout images.
These aren’t just photos, they’re memories of horses that often become part of the family.
Final Thoughts
Working with Laura Ness Photography on the Dinky Ponies Calendar continues to be a highlight for everyone at Country & Stable.
Her ability to capture each pony’s unique personality is what makes every calendar so special and why customers look forward to it year after year.
Whether you’re a horse owner considering your own photoshoot or simply love seeing beautiful equine imagery, one thing is clear: great photography captures far more than appearances it captures personality, memories and moments that last a lifetime.
Head over to Laura Ness Equine photogrphy to book your photoshoot and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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